John

John Borne is the thirteen year-old main character of the novel. After the death of his parents in a plane crash when John was only four, John came to live with his grandparents. He quickly grew to love them deeply. He is devastated when his grandpa is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Rather than participating in their annual deer hunting trip, Grandpa sends John out alone. During this expedition, John gives chase to a doe, ultimately coming to choose to touch the doe, rather than shooting the doe. He feels as if he has become a part of nature. It seems that not killing the doe will somehow save Grandpa. When John returns home, he explains this in a limited way to Grandpa. Then, John realizes that touching the doe will not save Grandpa because death is part of life. John has come of age, realizing that life must...